Modular rack for storing and transporting gas cylinders

ABSTRACT

A modular rack for storing gas cylinders includes a plurality of vertical posts spaced from one another. Top and bottom frames are removably attached to the posts, and spaced from one another. The top and bottom frames define generally aligned apertures configured to receive gas cylinders therethrough. A stop disposed below the bottom frame aperture supports the gas cylinder thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to racks and carts for gastanks, such as compressed gas cylinders. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a modular rack or cart which is assembled forstoring such gas cylinders.

There are many gases which are stored in cylindrical tanks for lateruse. Many of these gases are compressed. Such compressed gas cylindersmay contain compressed oxygen for medical or manufacturing purposes,helium, such as for use in childrens' balloons, and other gases, such asthose used in welding and the like. Due to the high pressure and thedangers associated with this high pressure, and at times the volatilenature of the contents of the cylinder, OSHA and DOT have set forthsafety regulations and placed certain guidelines on the storage andtransportation of such compressed gas cylinders. It will be appreciatedto those skilled in the art that given the compressed gas within thecylinder, if a cylinder were to fall over and the outlet valve bedamaged or broken, the compressed gas would escape and the cylindercould act as a rocket, causing much damage. Accordingly, the properstorage and transportation of these cylinders is very important.

Compressed gas cylinder carts and racks have been designed andmanufactured by various companies for many years. However, they are allcomprised of welded steel construction. This presents many drawbacks.First, manufacturing of these units is very expensive as it requires askilled welder to weld all the joints of the cart or rack. Moreover,shipping and storage of these units is very costly as they occupy alarge volume.

Accordingly, there is a continuing need for a modular rack or cart forstoring gas cylinders which can be transported in a disassembled stateso as to save on shipping and storage, yet is easily assembled withlittle skill and simple tools. The present invention fulfills theseneeds and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention resides in a modular rack or cart adapted to storecompressed gas cylinders and the like. The modular rack of the presentinvention generally comprises a plurality of vertical posts spaced fromone another. Typically, the vertical posts consists of four posts spacedfrom one another in a generally rectangular configuration. A top frameis removably attached to the post. A bottom frame is also removablyattached to the posts, and spaced vertically from the top frame.

The top frame and bottom frames each define at least one apertureconfigured to receive a gas cylinder therethrough. These apertures arealigned with one another so as to receive a gas cylinder. A stop extendsfrom the bottom frame and is disposed below the bottom frame aperture tosupport the gas cylinder thereon.

Typically, the top and bottom frames each comprise a peripheral wall. Aplurality of rods extend between first and second sides thereof inoverlapping nature to form at least one aperture of the frames.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the vertical posts each includea plurality of spaced apart grooves formed in an outer surface thereof.A sleeve is removably attached to each vertical post and adapted toengage the top or bottom frame. Preferably, the sleeve is comprised offirst and second snap-fit portions.

The sleeve is frictionally attached to the vertical post andfrictionally engaged with the connector of the top or bottom frame. Suchconnector typically comprises a tube defining an aperture configured tobe inserted over the post and into engagement with the sleeve.

Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a cart adapted fortransporting the gas cylinders, wherein a wheel is removably associatedwith each post. Also, preferably, a generally U-shaped handle extendsbetween two adjacent posts.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following more detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way ofexample, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular rack for storing gascylinders, embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the attachment of abottom frame to posts of the rack;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded and enlarged perspective view,illustrating sleeves of the present invention being attached to a postof the rack of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating a top framebeing attached to the posts in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another modular cart for storing andtransporting gas cylinders embodying the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating a top framebeing attached to posts of the cart, in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating a bottomframe being connected to the posts, in accordance with the presentinvention; and

FIG. 8 is a partially exploded perspective view, illustrating castersbeing attached to bottom ends of the posts, in accordance with thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the accompanying drawings, for purposes of illustration, thepresent invention is directed to a modular rack or cart, generallyreferred to by the reference number 10 in FIGS. 1-4, and by thereference number 12 in FIGS. 5-8. A benefit of the rack or cart 10 and12 of the present invention is that it is designed so as to be modular.That is, various components thereof are removably attached to oneanother such that the rack or cart 10 and 12 can be fairly compact whennot assembled for storage and transport. As described above, such racksor carts are typically offered as a single unit. This requires asignificant amount of welds between the various metallic componentsthereof. Also, the containers required to ship such carts or racks arevery large, increasing the shipping costs significantly and requiringextra storage space in the warehouse, etc. The rack or cart 10 and 12 ofthe invention overcomes these disadvantages.

With reference now to FIG. 1, the rack, in one embodiment of theinvention, includes a plurality, typically four, posts 14-20, which areoriented vertically, and spaced apart from one another so as to form agenerally rectangular configuration. A top frame 22 and a bottom frame24 are removably attached to the posts 14-20 and spaced apart from oneanother. The top and bottom frames 22 and 24 cooperatively support andhold a gas cylinder 26. Such gas cylinders 26 are typically compressedgas cylinders, such as carbon dioxide metallic tanks, oxygen metallictanks, compressed air tanks, etc.

With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3, as described above, the rack 10comes disassembled. In order to assemble the rack 10, the posts 14-20are spaced apart from one another, described above. A plurality ofsleeves, one for each post 14-20 is provided. These sleeves areremovably attached to each vertical post 14-20, and adapted to engagethe bottom frame 24, as will be more fully discussed herein. Inparticular, the sleeves are formed of two half portions 28 and 30, whichsnap-fit to one another around the outer surface of the post 14-20.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, each post 14-20 includes aplurality of grooves 32 formed in an outer surface thereof and spacedapart from one another. Each sleeve half 28 and 30 includes aprojection, typically in the form of a ring 34 which is adapted to fitwithin the groove 32. Thus, as the two halves 28 and 30 are pressedagainst one another, the ring 34 rests within the groove 32. The sleevehalves 28 and 30 preferably snap-fit to one another. This isaccomplished by having a male projection 36 and a corresponding femalenotch or the like 38 which is adapted to receive the male projection 36in frictional fit. The important aspect in accordance with the presentinvention is that the sleeve is removably attached to the post 14-20 ina manner which will serve as a stop for the bottom frame 24.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the bottom frame 24 includes a connector 40at each corner thereof which is tubular in nature so as to include apassageway 42 therethrough. The passageway 42 is sized such so as toeasily slide over the posts 14-20, and frictionally fit over the sleevehalves 28 and 30. Typically, the sleeve halves 28 and 30 are slightlytapered. Thus, the connectors 40 can easily slide over a top portion ofthe sleeve 28 and 30, and increasingly form a friction fit as it ispressed downwardly over the sleeve 28 and 30, which also maintains thesleeve halves 28 and 30 in frictional contact with each other and theposts 14-20. Striking the bottom frame 24 with a rubber mallet or hammerforms a tight connection.

In order to provide additional stability, feet or tabs 44 extendoutwardly from the bottom of each post 14-20. Preferably, these feet 44also include an aperture 46 therethrough through which a fastener, suchas a bolt, can be passed through and into a floor or the like so as tosecurely hold the rack 10 in place without fear of tipping over.

The bottom rack 24 includes a side wall 48, illustrated as two parallelrods extending around the periphery of the bottom frame 24. The bottomframe 24 typically has a square or rectangular configuration, withopposing ends and sides. At least one, and typically a plurality, ofrods 50 extend from the opposing side walls 48. Similarly, a pluralityof rods 52 extend from ends of the wall 48 so as to overlap with therods 50. The result is the formation of one or more apertures 54 whichhave a sufficient dimension so as to receive the cylinder 26therethrough, as illustrated in FIG. 1. One or more stops 56 is disposedbelow the apertures 54. Typically, the stop 56 comprises a rod extendingfrom side wall to side wall and below the apertures 54, for supportingthe cylinder 26 thereon, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

With reference now to FIG. 4, the top frame 22 is removably attached tothe post 14-20 in a similar manner. That is, the sleeves halves 28 and30 are engaged with one another about a groove 32 of the individualposts 14-20 in spaced relation from the bottom frame 24. Preferably,multiple grooves 32 are formed along each post 14-20, such that thespace between the bottom and top frames 24 and 22 can be adjusted tomeet the length of the gas cylinder 26 to be held thereby.

Similar to the bottom frame 24, the top frame 22 includes a side wall58, rods 60 and 62 in overlapping relation to form one or more apertures64 adapted to receive the gas cylinder 26 therethrough. It will beappreciated that the apertures 54 and 64 are generally aligned with oneanother when the frames 22 and 24 are installed on the posts 14-20. Thetop frame 22 also includes connectors 66 with the passageway 68therethrough so as to engage the sleeve halves 28 and 30 as describedabove.

With reference now to FIGS. 5-8, another embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. The rack has been converted to a cart 12, whichinstead of being stationery and fixed in place is movable. Similarreference numbers will be used for similar parts between the rack andthe cart 12.

In this embodiment, a generally U-shaped handle 70 extends between thetwo adjacent posts 14 and 1 6. Similarly, a handle 72 extends betweenthe adjacent posts 18 and 20. Although the handle 70 and 72 could beremovably attached to the top portion of the posts 14-20, moretypically, the handle 70 or 72 is formed integrally with the posts14-20, so as to be made from a single piece of tubing. With reference toFIG. 6, when the handles 70 and 72 are formed integrally with the posts14-20, the top frame 22 is first inserted over the posts 14-20. Thesleeves 28 and 30 are then connected to one another around a groove 32,and the top frame 22 forced into frictional fit therewith by sliding theframe 22 over the posts 14-20 and into engagement with the sleeve halves28 and 30. Similar steps are taken in attaching the bottom frame 24 tothe posts 14-20, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

With reference now to FIG. 8, with the top frame 22 and bottom frame 24secured to the posts 14-20, the unit 12 is inverted such that thehandles 70 and 72 rest on the floor. The posts 14-20 are hollow, orinclude an open end 74 adapted to receive a post 76 of a caster wheel78. The shaft 76 includes protrusions, typically in the form of a ring80 which serves as a grip. As the caster post or stem 76 is pushedinside of the tubing 74, the ring 80 slips into and above the groove 32of the posts 14-20 to secure the wheel 78 thereto.

From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will appreciate that thepresent invention is cheaper to manufacture, and ship and store. Therack and cart 10 and 12 of the present invention are easily assembledwithout the need for complex tools or training. However, the resultingrack and cart 10 and 12 are stable and sturdy when assembled.

Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposesof illustration, various modifications may be made without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the inventionis not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.

1. A modular rack for storing gas cylinders, comprising: a plurality ofvertical posts spaced from one another; a top frame removably attachedto the posts, the top frame defining at least one aperture configured toreceive a gas cylinder therethrough; a bottom frame removably attachedto the posts and spaced vertically from the top frame, the bottom framedefining at least one aperture configured to receive a gas cylindertherethrough, the bottom frame aperture being aligned with the top frameaperture; and a stop extending from the bottom frame and disposed belowthe bottom frame aperture for supporting a gas cylinder thereon.
 2. Themodular rack of claim 1, wherein the plurality of vertical posts consistof four posts spaced from one another in a generally rectangularconfiguration.
 3. The modular rack of claim 1, wherein the verticalposts each include a plurality of spaced apart grooves formed in anouter surface thereof.
 4. The modular rack of claim 1, including asleeve removably attached to each vertical post and adapted to engagethe top or bottom frame.
 5. The modular rack of claim 4, wherein thesleeve is comprised of first and second snap-fit portions.
 6. Themodular rack of claim 4, wherein the sleeve is frictionally attached tothe vertical post, and frictionally engaged with a connector of the topor bottom frame.
 7. The modular rack of claim 6, wherein the top andbottom frame connectors each comprise a tube defining an apertureconfigured to be inserted over the post and into engagement with thesleeve.
 8. The modular rack of claim 1, wherein the top and bottomframes each comprise a peripheral wall having a plurality of rodsextending between first opposite sides thereof, and a plurality of rodsextending between second opposite sides thereof, the rods overlapping toform the at least one aperture of the top and bottom frame. 9-10.(canceled)
 11. A modular rack for storing gas cylinders, comprising: aplurality of vertical posts spaced from one another in a generallyrectangular configuration; first and second sleeves frictionallyattached to each vertical post in spaced relation; a top frame having aplurality of connectors frictionally engaged with the first sleeves soas to be attached to the posts, the top frame defining at least oneaperture configured to receive a gas cylinder therethrough; a bottomframe having a plurality of connectors frictionally engaged with thesecond sleeves so as to be attached to the posts, the bottom frame beingspaced vertically from the top frame, and defining at least one apertureconfigured to receive a gas cylinder therethrough, the bottom frameaperture being aligned with the top frame aperture; and a stop extendingfrom the bottom frame and disposed below the bottom frame aperture forsupporting a gas cylinder thereon.
 12. The modular rack of claim 11,wherein the vertical posts each include a plurality of spaced apartgrooves formed in an outer surface thereof.
 13. The modular rack ofclaim 11, wherein the sleeve is comprised of first and second snap-fitportions.
 14. The modular rack of claim 11, wherein the top and bottomframe connectors each comprise a tube defining an aperture configured tobe inserted over the post and into engagement with the sleeve.
 15. Themodular rack of claim 11, wherein the top and bottom frames eachcomprise a peripheral wall having a plurality of rods extending betweenfirst opposite sides thereof, and a plurality of rods extending betweensecond opposite sides thereof, the rods overlapping to form the at leastone aperture of the top and bottom frame. 16-20. (canceled)
 21. Themodular rack of claim 1, including a tab extending outwardly from abottom of each post, so as to be generally transverse to a longitudinalaxis of the post.
 22. The modular rack of claim 21, wherein at least oneof the tabs includes an aperture adapted to receive a fastenertherethrough and into a supporting surface of the rack.
 23. The modularrack of claim 11, including a tab extending outwardly from a bottom ofeach post, so as to be generally transverse to a longitudinal axis ofthe post.
 24. The modular rack of claim 23, wherein at least one of thetabs includes an aperture adapted to receive a fastener therethrough andinto a supporting surface of the rack.